Mainstream news rarely makes a habit of delivering positive motorsport news stories.
Coverage often present bog standard Grand Prix result in thirty seconds or less; unless there is a massive smash or a great controversy, motor racing tends to sit firmly out of the limelight.
Of course, live television broadcasts of feeder or support categories are an absolute rarity, often only gaining light in the most bizarre of circumstances.
However one of the few support championships in the world to garner a solid live TV broadcast package has been the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.
A backer for the Aussie V8 Supercar Championship, the Aussie Racing Cars acquired a deal that sees a number of its races being shown live on Australia’s Channel 7 station and it was during one of these live showings yesterday that championship manager and competitor Phil Ward turn the show upside down.
At Queensland Raceway, Ward qualified his 1.2 litre Commodore 18th on the grid; however the unhappy Australian powered his way to the front of the pack prior to race start to remonstrate with officials about an oil slick across parts of the track.
It was certainly an unusual way to garner the attention of race control and while it was certainly effective in bringing the situation to light, it was an action that eventually cost the experienced Ward.
Following the race (in which Ward came home 14th), the Australian was withdrawn from the race and stripped of his position as championship manager.
For the sake of confusion, Phil Ward’s assistants the championship managerial team – Brad Ward and James Ward – will continue in their roles, but will be viewing replacements for Phil Ward eventually.
Kyle Clews eventually won the shortened event in his Australec Switchgear Commodore machine.
